Altoona Times

Following the unveiling of new legislative measures aimed at reforming higher education funding in Pennsylvania, Jesse Topper, Republican Chairman of the House Education Committee, expressed optimism about the potential impact. The proposed bills seek to enhance accessibility, affordability, and accountability within post-secondary education across the state.

Topper emphasized that these reforms are designed to better prepare students for future employment opportunities. "We intend to deliver true and meaningful reform for our students, so they are better prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow," he stated.

The legislation aims to encourage students to remain in Pennsylvania after graduation, contributing to both state and local economies. Topper highlighted this goal by saying, "These bills would also entice students to stay in Pennsylvania to be part of our workforce while contributing to the state and local economies."

Among the proposed measures is House Bill 1574, introduced by Topper himself. This bill focuses on implementing performance-based metrics for funding higher education institutions. According to Topper, this approach will allow tracking necessary data to hold universities accountable while ensuring educational access remains available for all financial backgrounds.

"The need for performance-based budgeting is just one area in which we have found common ground with Gov. Josh Shapiro," Topper noted, referencing a shared interest with Governor Shapiro in such fiscal strategies during budget discussions.

For more information on the co-sponsorship memorandum regarding these bills, interested parties can access it online.